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Win ME version.dll & rundll errors(think I did it)

cynp

Posted 21 December 2004 - 06:49 PM

cynp

New Member

Member

3 posts

Need some help, please. When computer comes up, I can open Works and perform tasks, can open Word and use it normally too and Excel Viewer. Can open Webshots, dial up to internet, use the included Microsoft Games, use the printer, and check resource meter and system monitor and appears I can use DriveSpace, Disk Cleanup, Clipboard Viewer all in Accessories/System Tools.
Cannot use Streets & Trips, McAfee, Yahoo Messenger, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Adobe Photoshop or Photo Deluxe; or the System Information and System Restore in Accessories/System Tools or any other programs that we have installed that I clicked on due to a version.dll error. Rundll errors come up upon booting, load powerprof.dll (twice) and c:\windows\system\NvCpl.dll and then the version.dll error that the file cannot start. Error DLL initialization routine failed for UNICOWS.DLL.
Did scan disk, and scanreg /restore cannot use system restore in windows or safe mode or through DOS {states that c:\windows\system\restore\rstrui.exe (found in Microsoft Article) cannot be used in DOS.}
Can use Dr Watson if clicked on from folder through My Computer (doesn't give much inforamtion due to - An error occurred while loading one fo the DLL's used by Dr Watson. Not all system information will be collected. The file VERSION.DLL could not be loaded. The file VER.DLL may be corrrupted.) info gathered - ATMSYS.DRV has altered Windows system files.
<unknown> has altered Windows system files Module Name:<unknown>
If the Taskbar is behaving strangely, try exiting mmtask.tsk (same module name) per Microsoft articles- Taskbar will do this

Don't think this is from a virus, although there have been problems in the past (Use McAfee). I believe that I caused the problem.....was going to get a game off an old cd from Win95 and install on the ME system. It was a shareware cd that has been used on 2 other of our computers in the past (this 98SE included) and never caused a problem before. I entered the install button instead of the run button to just copy the game files. The install button had the cd install 2 files to the ME system. I believe they have overwritten a couple files and made them older versions. In checking Microsoft information, the ver.dll and version.dll files are protected and should not be able to be overwritten, however, the vbrun300.dll is not protected. Perhaps this file was changed? or maybe rundll32? Not sure.
Just need to know how to get system to use the program files (cannot open Outlook Express or Internet Explorer either. Outlook Express gets errors about logging in and IE gets an error that it is not compatible with the version of Windows.
When clicking on some programs, I get the busy cursor as if they will open, however, after 10 secs or so, the cursor turns into a normal one and nothing else happens. Other programs give the VERSION.DLL error. When clicking on MS Paint through Start,Programs,Accessories, MS Paint......nothing seems to happen, but click on it again, then CTRL+ALT+DEL and you will see that it is in the box twice. If you click on one and end task a few times, it will finally close and the other program will magically appear on the desktop so you can use it. Tried to do that to other programs, but it doesn't work on the ones tried - they don't show up in the end task box.

Please let me know if there is a way to do a system restore or get the programs running again. Cannot copy any programs or data to floppy or cd rom. But can access them. Believe I cannot run programs from the floppy because they also need the dll files to run.
The Windows ME cd is a Compaq OEM. Cannot restore Windows without wiping out the whole hard drive.
I have found many DLL files on the net, not sure if I should try to install any new ones and where to start. Do any of the DLL fix programs such as Registry Repair, PC Bug Doctor etc really fix the DLL's in the system files.

Have tried to get to system restore using MSCONFIG in run box after booting using emergency disk and changing shell to progman.exe and re-booting. It says that MSCONFIG cannot be found or is missing some file component so it cannot be run. Can run MSCONFIG under windows, but it will not let me use system restore due to version.dll error.
Not really sure which dll files are corrupt. Not really sure how to find out which ones are. I know I indicated the errors that I'm getting, but according to information that I've read, the version.dll file should be protected from being changed (should be) along with the ver.dll.

checked out the ATM disable......edited line in system.ini from SYSTEM.DRV=ATMSYS.DRV to SYSTEM.DRV=SYSTEM.DRV

no adobe key lines in win.ini none under boot in system.ini
no softfonts= lines either

when computer restarted - the same errors
changed system.ini through DOS (using boot disk) from shell=explorer.exe to shell=progman.exe
restarted w/o disk -went to run and msconfig-can't launch restore
restarted w/disk - minimal boot typed in the command
c:\windows\system\restore\rstrui.exe
DOS says This program cannot be run in DOS mode.

got a DLL error on command when putting in the msconfig box
Dr Watson only came up with the taskbar error again after changing the ATMSYS.DRV above

connecting another hard drive or slaving the hard drive is beyond me......not sure how to do that. Cannot network using the home networking wizard because I get the version.dll file cannot start...check file to determine problem error (how can you check the file? haven't found a way yet to figure out if there is something wrong with it or not).

I have read the info about AdAware and Hijack This, etc. Am trying to download to this 98SE comp and put on floppy and see if I can get it to install and run on the ME comp. Will post info as soon as I can find out. Perhaps the problem I am having does not need that info. However, once I get the ME running programs so I can backup the information I will definitely be cleaning out the system and doing a new install and using the spyware apps, etc that you have recommended along with the McAfee that we're subscribed to for updates. On dial-up, it's pretty slow here.

Thank you so much.

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cynp

Posted 23 December 2004 - 12:55 PM

cynp

New Member

Topic Starter

Member

3 posts

Need some help, please. When computer comes up, I can open Works and perform tasks, can open Word and use it normally too and Excel Viewer. Can open Webshots, dial up to internet, use the included Microsoft Games, use the printer, and check resource meter and system monitor and appears I can use DriveSpace, Disk Cleanup, Clipboard Viewer all in Accessories/System Tools.Cannot use Streets & Trips, McAfee, Yahoo Messenger, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Adobe Photoshop or Photo Deluxe; or the System Information and System Restore in Accessories/System Tools or any other programs that we have installed that I clicked on due to a version.dll error. Rundll errors come up upon booting, load powerprof.dll (twice) and c:\windows\system\NvCpl.dll and then the version.dll error that the file cannot start. Error DLL initialization routine failed for UNICOWS.DLL.Did scan disk, and scanreg /restore cannot use system restore in windows or safe mode or through DOS {states that c:\windows\system\restore\rstrui.exe (found in Microsoft Article) cannot be used in DOS.}Can use Dr Watson if clicked on from folder through My Computer (doesn't give much inforamtion due to - An error occurred while loading one fo the DLL's used by Dr Watson. Not all system information will be collected. The file VERSION.DLL could not be loaded. The file VER.DLL may be corrrupted.) info gathered - ATMSYS.DRV has altered Windows system files.<unknown> has altered Windows system files Module Name:<unknown>If the Taskbar is behaving strangely, try exiting mmtask.tsk (same module name) per Microsoft articles- Taskbar will do this

Don't think this is from a virus, although there have been problems in the past (Use McAfee). I believe that I caused the problem.....was going to get a game off an old cd from Win95 and install on the ME system. It was a shareware cd that has been used on 2 other of our computers in the past (this 98SE included) and never caused a problem before. I entered the install button instead of the run button to just copy the game files. The install button had the cd install 2 files to the ME system. I believe they have overwritten a couple files and made them older versions. In checking Microsoft information, the ver.dll and version.dll files are protected and should not be able to be overwritten, however, the vbrun300.dll is not protected. Perhaps this file was changed? or maybe rundll32? Not sure.Just need to know how to get system to use the program files (cannot open Outlook Express or Internet Explorer either. Outlook Express gets errors about logging in and IE gets an error that it is not compatible with the version of Windows.When clicking on some programs, I get the busy cursor as if they will open, however, after 10 secs or so, the cursor turns into a normal one and nothing else happens. Other programs give the VERSION.DLL error. When clicking on MS Paint through Start,Programs,Accessories, MS Paint......nothing seems to happen, but click on it again, then CTRL+ALT+DEL and you will see that it is in the box twice. If you click on one and end task a few times, it will finally close and the other program will magically appear on the desktop so you can use it. Tried to do that to other programs, but it doesn't work on the ones tried - they don't show up in the end task box.

Please let me know if there is a way to do a system restore or get the programs running again. Cannot copy any programs or data to floppy or cd rom. But can access them. Believe I cannot run programs from the floppy because they also need the dll files to run.The Windows ME cd is a Compaq OEM. Cannot restore Windows without wiping out the whole hard drive.I have found many DLL files on the net, not sure if I should try to install any new ones and where to start. Do any of the DLL fix programs such as Registry Repair, PC Bug Doctor etc really fix the DLL's in the system files.

Have tried to get to system restore using MSCONFIG in run box after booting using emergency disk and changing shell to progman.exe and re-booting. It says that MSCONFIG cannot be found or is missing some file component so it cannot be run. Can run MSCONFIG under windows, but it will not let me use system restore due to version.dll error.Not really sure which dll files are corrupt. Not really sure how to find out which ones are. I know I indicated the errors that I'm getting, but according to information that I've read, the version.dll file should be protected from being changed (should be) along with the ver.dll.

checked out the ATM disable......edited line in system.ini from SYSTEM.DRV=ATMSYS.DRV to SYSTEM.DRV=SYSTEM.DRV

no adobe key lines in win.ini none under boot in system.inino softfonts= lines either

when computer restarted - the same errorschanged system.ini through DOS (using boot disk) from shell=explorer.exe to shell=progman.exerestarted w/o disk -went to run and msconfig-can't launch restorerestarted w/disk - minimal boot typed in the commandc:\windows\system\restore\rstrui.exe DOS says This program cannot be run in DOS mode.

got a DLL error on command when putting in the msconfig boxDr Watson only came up with the taskbar error again after changing the ATMSYS.DRV above

connecting another hard drive or slaving the hard drive is beyond me......not sure how to do that. Cannot network using the home networking wizard because I get the version.dll file cannot start...check file to determine problem error (how can you check the file? haven't found a way yet to figure out if there is something wrong with it or not).

I have read the info about AdAware and Hijack This, etc. Am trying to download to this 98SE comp and put on floppy and see if I can get it to install and run on the ME comp. Will post info as soon as I can find out. Perhaps the problem I am having does not need that info. However, once I get the ME running programs so I can backup the information I will definitely be cleaning out the system and doing a new install and using the spyware apps, etc that you have recommended along with the McAfee that we're subscribed to for updates. On dial-up, it's pretty slow here.

cynp

Posted 23 December 2004 - 01:09 PM

cynp

New Member

Topic Starter

Member

3 posts

downloaded both AdAware and Hijack This to this 98SE computer. Put Hijack This onto a floppy to use on Windows ME Comp.......can't open it. Get Run-time error '298'. System DLL "VERSION.DLL" could not be loaded.

AdAware file is too large to put on a floppy and try to use and may not be able to run it either due to the DLL error.

Tried connecting the two comps together through Home Networking Wizard....ME shows one comp using the internet connection. The 98SE cannot be put on the network because the OEM disk that came with it does not have the necessary files to install home networking on the computer through the Add/Remove Programs/Windows Setup/Internet Tools/Internet Connection Sharing. Is there somewhere on the net that I can download the Windows ME Home Networking Setup Disk so I can install on the 98SE and connect them? Then I can transfer the files over that I need to save.